OTTAWA—Canadian Muslim leaders are fiercely disputing a new study that says several mosques and Islamic schools are endangering young people with extremist teachings.
The study is “yet another anecdotal attempt to vilify” members of the religious community and their institutions, the National Council of Canadian Muslims said.
Mohammad Iqbal AlNadvi, chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams, said he completely disagrees with the findings, adding that Muslim leaders in Canada have been quick to denounce radicalism.
Co-authors Thomas Quiggin, a former intelligence analyst with the Privy Council Office and the RCMP, and Saied Shoaaib, a journalist originally from Egypt, based their findings on research conducted quietly in mosque libraries and Islamic schools.
They personally visited four mosques and three Islamic schools in the Ottawa area, but also express concern in the study about alleged activities—including homophopic statements and promotion of Holy War—at certain mosques in Montreal and Toronto.
